Parental Grief in Palliative Care During Wartime: International Forum "Grief Therapy"

This presentation, delivered by Vira Zalivadna, a grief therapy trainer and psychologist specializing in parental support groups, focuses on parental grief within the context of palliative care during wartime. The speaker emphasizes the critical importance of psychological and spiritual support for both terminally ill children and their families.

She highlights that the initial shock of a terminal diagnosis is often compounded by pre-existing traumas, especially for families already affected by war or other profound losses, such as the loss of a spouse.

The presentation delves into the specifics of palliative care, defining it as a multidisciplinary approach aimed at improving the quality of life for patients with incurable diseases and their families. Key aspects discussed include pain management, psychological intervention, and spiritual support, addressing the unique challenges faced by patients and their families in times of conflict.

The speaker also touches upon the difficulty some parents face in openly discussing their grief, sometimes leading to internal family conflicts and guilt. This session is part of the "International Forum 'Grief Therapy': War and Psychological Recovery of Ukraine," held on October 19-20, 2023, with support from the University of Padua (Italy), the International Renaissance Foundation, the National University of Civil Protection of Ukraine, and Eleos Ukraine.

We invite you to the forum on October 16-17, 2025 https://griefassociation.com.ua/forum...